Board to consider street vacation and zoning changes near Oaklawn and a manufactured-home overlay at Mill Creek Road

Harmony Morrissey, city clerk, announced a public hearing will be held when the board formally considers a petition by Silver Spur Properties LLC to vacate Byron Street and a portion of Estego Street; staff said Entergy Arkansas has requested an easement as a condition of approval and that statutory requirements for the hearing and advertising have been met.

Planning and Development Director Kathy Selman presented an ordinance (O25-45) to amend the zoning map from RN-5 (Residential Neighborhood 5) to CG (General Commercial) for approximately 1.78 unplatted acres generally located at Ostego, Pyron and Keuka Streets. Selman said the parcels lie adjacent to existing CG zoning and the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort and the Finish Line RV Park; planning staff recommended approval and the Planning Commission voted 7–0 on Oct. 9 to recommend the amendment and a companion future land use change to tourism commercial center. Selman and board members said the applicant indicated the purpose is to expand the Finish Line RV Park and related amenities and that the applicant has common ownership with the existing RV park.

Selman also presented an ordinance (O25-46) to establish a Manufactured Home Overlay (MHO) for approximately 2.29 acres at 796 Mill Creek Road at the request of Diana Griffith. The overlay would allow placement of an affordable manufactured home on the property while retaining the underlying R-1 zoning and subjecting placement to Hot Springs code placement regulations. Selman said the application met submission and approval standards, planning commission held a public hearing on Oct. 9 and voted 7–0 to recommend approval; one neighbor (Wendy Kekowski) spoke in opposition expressing a desire to limit additional manufactured homes in the immediate area.

All items will be before the board for formal action on Nov. 4; no votes were taken at the agenda review meeting.